Sheet Metal Worker at Mid-Atlantic Sheet Metal Contractors

Time-BasedRegistered ApprenticeshipPaid Training

at Mid-Atlantic Sheet Metal Contractors in Virginia Beach, VA

About This Program

Mid-Atlantic Sheet Metal Contractors sponsors this registered sheet metal worker apprenticeship in Virginia Beach, VA. This non-union, employer-sponsored program gives apprentices access to hands-on trade training through a regional sheet metal contracting organization in the Hampton Roads area.

The five-year apprenticeship is structured around 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 640 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain skills in sheet metal fabrication, HVAC ductwork installation, industrial ventilation, and custom metal forming through real jobsite experience. Technical instruction covers blueprint reading, applied math, welding basics, and safety practices. Apprentices are paid for their work throughout the program.

Graduates earn journey-level credentials as sheet metal workers, ready for sustained employment in the construction and mechanical trades. The multi-contractor sponsorship model may expose apprentices to a variety of project types and employers in the Virginia Beach and broader Hampton Roads region.

Wage & Training

Journeyman Wage

$26

BLS 2023

OJT Hours

8,000

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

RTI Hours

640

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Duration

5 years

Apprenticeship.gov 2025

Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.

How to Apply

Sheet Metal Worker Career Outlook

National Median

$26.33/hr

~$54,766.4/yr

Apprentice Start

$16/hr

Earn while you learn

Job Outlook

Sheet metal worker employment is expected to grow steadily, driven by HVAC system demand in new construction and energy-efficiency retrofits. The transition to high-efficiency systems and commercial building upgrades creates ongoing need for skilled fabricators and installers. Workers with welding and CAD skills have the strongest prospects.

What to Expect as a Sheet Metal Worker Apprentice

Duration

5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction

On-the-Job Training

~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)

Classroom Instruction

640 hours of related technical instruction (~128 hours/year)

Paid Training

You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress

Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Sheet Metal Worker

Apprenticeship

Cost$0 (earn while you learn)
Duration5 years
Starting wage$16.00/hr
Journeyman wage$26.33/hr
CredentialJourneyman card

Trade School

Cost$5,000–$20,000+
Duration6–24 months
Starting wageEntry-level
ExperienceHands-on labs
CredentialCertificate / diploma

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